Cruz Pedregon Commerce Pre-Race Press Release

25th Annual NHRA Southern Nationals
Atlanta Dragway­ Commerce, Ga.
Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car - Pedregon Racing
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series

Cruz Pedregon in Battle for Second Points Slot

Commerce, Ga. (May 10, 2005) ­Cruz Pedregon, the Advance Auto Parts Monte
Carlo Nitro Funny Car driver, heads to Atlanta to compete in the Silver
Anniversary running of the NHRA Southern Nationals. Pedregon moved to third
place in NHRA Nitro Funny Car points after his semifinal round appearance at
Bristol Dragway.

In this battle for points, Pedregon sits two behind second-place and
long-time rival John Force. It has been a few years, back in 1998, since
Pedregon was in the thick of a pointšs race, when he finished third.

ŗAt this stage of the championship, points are very important,˛ said
Pedregon. ŗIt has been about seven years since Išve been in the midst of one
of these close battles. But I feel the Advance Auto Parts team has a great
car and crew, that is when everything aligns right and good things happen.

ŗWešre excited this is our best start in a long time,˛ added Pedregon.
ŗThere are a few things we want to polish, but wešre getting better as we go
along. The competition is much tougher now than the last time we were in one
of these fights for points. Therešre are a lot of capable teams that can win
any round.˛

Pedregon and Force have been around the track long enough, that they are not
foreign to the stress and excitement of coming face to face. Since 1992,
these two formidable drivers have raced each other 23 times in final-round
competition. 

 
ATLANTA RECAP
 
Pedregon won at Atlanta Dragway in 1998 and was runner up in 1995. He also
run low ET in 1992, š95 and š98 and had top speed in 1996, and š98.

ŗWešve had great success at this facility and I feel wešre in a position to
have another great outing. Wešre starting to build some momentum and wešre
going to work hard to put this car in position to win the race this weekend
and move up in NHRA Nitro Funny Car points,˛ concluded Pedregon.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is based in Roanoke, Va., and is the second largest
auto parts chain in the nation. With over 2600 stores in 39 states, Puerto
Rico and the Virgin Islands, the company serves both the do-it-yourself and
professional installer markets. Additional information about the company,
employment opportunities, services, as well as on-line purchase of parts and
accessories can be found on the company's web site at
www.advanceautoparts.com